They kept their distance per the Law but that did not stop them from calling out to Jesus for mercy. They were lepers, men still alive, but rotting to death. Jesus sent them to the priests to be declared clean of their living putrefaction. None said thank you for their miraculous healing, “except this foreigner.”

He could not take another step. His slow, cruel death sentence had been lifted. His desperate separation from friends and family was ended. His days of being despised and feared were over.

How could you not be grateful? Why would you refuse to thank God for the enormous mercy and miraculous goodness you had just received? Looking at his restoration, this nameless foreigner knew the priests could wait. His gratitude on the other hand, could not.

So he did what the native-born would not. He ran to Jesus and kneeled to Him in thankfulness. The same voice that cried for mercy now cried out glory to God.

All ten received the same miracle blessing. All ten had their miserable and degrading suffering ended through healing and restoration. Only the foreigner, the man who should not have received anything, bothered with gratitude or appreciation.

What mercy have you received? What mercy have you given? Did you show gratitude to God for the privilege given to you or through you?

Think: God’s mercy is for native-born and foreigner alike. Am I grateful for what I receive?

Pray: “Lord, help me to give and receive Your mercy freely, and with gratitude.”

And David said with longing, “Oh, that someone would give me a drink of the water from the well of Bethlehem, which is by the gate!” So the three mighty men broke through the camp of the Philistines, drew water from the well of Bethlehem that was by the gate, and took it and brought it to David. Nevertheless he would not drink it, but poured it out to the Lord.

2 Samuel 23:17–18 NKJV
Please also read 2 Samuel 23:15–19

In a moment of human weakness, David wished out loud for something he knew he could not have. Through cunning, skill and boldness three of David’s finest soldiers risked their lives to bring David a canteen of water. In humility and reverence, David would not drink.

To the untrained eye, the canteen was full of water from a specific well. To spiritual eyes, the precious vessel was full of the blood of living champions. David instinctively knew only God was worthy of their offering.

As leaders in God’s Kingdom, we are privileged: we get to help men and women become champions for, and in, God. And when they are so much more than anyone expected, there is a temptation to think more of ourselves than we should. Like David, we must keep our awe of God’s power and humility regarding our role as God’s instruments.

Fulfill the role God has given you. Be pleased when the “least of these” become mighty men and women. Remember it is His power that transforms souls.

I will offer to You the sacrifice of thanksgiving, And will call upon the name of the Lord.

Psalms 116:17 NKJV

I approached the Western Wall, considering the place holy, if not by God’s true presence, then by the thousands of sincere prayers offered there. As I drew close, I could see that every crack and crevice in the stone was filled with prayer notes. I was thankful that my requests would go to God there.

I was, frankly, taken aback. My heart, mind and mouth could not form a request. The Holy Spirit stopped up my request maker. In its place, He unleashed my thanks giver. “Quit begging. Start thanking.”

So there I was, a lone goyim at the Wall, my heart crying out to God. The tears were of joy. I gave myself over to the thankfulness and gratitude that spilled out to my God. After all, He has been good to me in the past, is good to me in the present and will be good to me in the future.

Not that all of my days have been easy and bountiful. Still, even on the toughest days, He has been exceedingly good to me. Since I have already received so much from Him, my only reasonable response is to be grateful and thankful.

I am reminded that I should thank more and ask less. I am blessed by the sincere gratitude of my own sons. I owe God my gratitude, and I intend to pay what I owe.

Think: I should be thankful for all God has done, is doing and will do for me.

And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.

Colossians 3:15 (KJV)

Peace is not the absence of conflict or turmoil. Instead, it is the presence of assurance in God’s care and provision. I can be at peace in the middle of storm and conflict.

Thankfulness and peace are linked. Thankfulness is an attitude of appreciation and gratitude. It doesn’t mean I have all I want or everything looks good. It means that I recognize God sovereign place and space in my life.

I thankful because I have His peace. My thankfulness draws His peace. As you embrace the one, the other follows.

Christians should live in a state of peace. We should gratitude for the life and liberty that comes through Christ Jesus. He has given us the best, in eternity and this life as well.

Does that mean that all Christians live in great wealth or in serene circumstances? My bank account could use more zeros, to be sure. Still, I live in the wealth of God’s love and grace.

My circumstances are not themselves tranquil or calm at all times. Still, I rest in God. In the most violent of storms, I am confident in His care and provision.

He answered and said, Whether he be a sinner or no, I know not: one thing I know, that, whereas I was blind, now I see.

John 9:25 KJV

It should have been a celebration. There should have been rejoicing with happy tears and ecstatic shouting. Instead the sour faces of a grim inquisition pressed the man. A man guilty of receiving miraculous healing.

That morning he was a blind beggar, dependent on the few coins tossed his way in pity. That afternoon light and color flooded through the once dead orbs he called eyes. How they calmed him down, I’ll never know.

Still, he finally faced the elite leaders of the synagogue. He didn’t need his new, beautiful vision to see their cynical, ugly intentions. Fearlessly, he told his story, regardless of the consequences.

What great and miraculous thing has Jesus done in your life? Are you willing to tell your story? Regardless of their intentions, they need to hear the truth of His power in your life.

Whether you face a joyous celebration, or a somber tribunal, tell your story. Explain the change. No one can tell your story better than you can.

Think:I need to tell my story of Jesus’ power in my life.

Pray:“Lord, Help me to tell my story of You. No matter what the audience looks like.”